Episode 1: Ierendi, The Tournament of Adventurers

Anlo’s Quarters
Anlo hears movement coming from his loft.

Anlo's Quarters

Anlo's taunt is left unanswered.

Anlo's Quarters
With the candles lit, Anlo can't see anyone or anything. Nothing seems out of place in the room. But the sound of movement he heard as he came up to his open door came from the loft. It's still dark up there and Anlo knows that there are a number of his storage chests there. These would be ideal for someone to hide behind, especially if they were not very large.

Khali stands and politely waves it off, declining the offer."No need, Captain. The reading has already been paid for. I wish you the best."She folds her hands in front of her and offers a shallow bow.

Anlo immediately steps into the room and shuts the door, looking for a means to secure it. Grabbing belts, he loops one through the door handle and latches the belt, before using a second belt to pass around the leg of his desk and passing it through the first belt, pulling it tight and securing it.

Once the door is held shut, he will light the lamp in his room and then head up to his loft to investigate.

Khali's Studio

"I understand." The captain nods politely and removes his hand from his purse.

As he does his deliberate motion slows and his eyes haze over. He seems to look through Khali, at nothing, for a moment. His glazed over look quickly is replaced by a furrowed glare aimed directly at Khali. He steps backward to stand in front of and block the door he came in and draws his sword.

"Now, Mistress. I ask you to come with me!" He says in a growling firm voice.

Anlo's Quarters
After Anlo makes sure the door is secure, he heads up the ladder. About half way up, a vial flies from his loft to his quarter's floor and crashes open. As it shatters upon impact, a burst of magical energy emits from it in all directions. The edge of the burst waves over Anlo as he climbs the ladder. He immediately feels a bit disorientated and a numbing sensation builds in his limbs.

Khali glances at the card 'The Puppet Master' thoughtfully. She smiles to reassure him and holds her hands up, palms open, to show submission while looking straight into his eyes.

"Of course, Captain. No need for violence. Just lead the way and I'll follow."

She moves cautiously from behind the table and takes a few slow steps towards the door; assuming that's where he's guiding her.

Khali
Zephyros' growling command had a speech pattern that was articulated more slowly and unlike the captain Khali had just been interacting with.

Brandishing his sword at Khali, Zephros gestures to a cloth on a stand under a candle abra that is large enough to tie around Khali's eyes.

"Cover your eyes." he demands in a hollow tone.

Anlo
The energy wave moves across Anlo's limbs and they go limp. He looses his grip on the ladder and falls backward to the floor with a thud.

As Anlo begins to loose consciousness he sees a hin (halfling) step into the light peering down at him from the top of the ladder. The hin's gaze is hollow and emotionless. Anlo's last realization before his sight blurs is that the hin is the contestant Pippin Shadowstep.

...damn...it...

AnloAnlo's muscles have now succumbed to the effects of the magic. He is mostly paralyzed but fights further effects and remains conscious. Pippin searches Anlo and finds the evidence. He puts it in his pack, from which he also pulls out a rope and secures Anlo, arms behind his back. He then removes a cloth bag from his pack and covers Anlo's head with it. Now it's dark but Anlo can still hear.

Khali makes her way casually to the scarf. As she takes it in her hands, suddenly there is loud knock at the door. Its the kind one would expect from someone strong and determined to be heard.

BANG BANG BANG!

Khali gasps, as if surprised. Her eyes widen. "Its the Nightwatch! They're doing a bedcheck."She answers the banging"Just a moment!" then quietly to the Captain"Please don't hurt them sir. They are just doing their job. If you give me a moment, I can get rid of them. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

Khali

"Yes. Hurry to get rid of them," replies Zephyros, rather emotionlessly. He steps to the side of the door, keeping his sword out of sight of the doorway but still pointing it at Khali.

Anlo

Anlo hears Pippin Shadowstep move about the quarters. It sounds like he steps into the hall for a moment and then the door closes. Shortly after the sound of movement in the room continues.